Week Night Wines Good Enough for Weekends

It is a Monday night and I am on the phone with a friend who hears me pop a cork. She asks, “What kind of wine are you drinking on a Monday night?” My answer is, “a value wine”. You may wonder, “What is a value wine”. A value wine to me is a wine that costs $12-$15 but tastes like a $25-$30 bottle. Because face it, just like most of us can’t purchase Armani suits or Gucci bags or Prada shoes for wear every day, we can’t purchase Chateau Lafite Rothschild for dinner every night. Our mortgages would default and then we would be on the street with our suits, shoes, bags, and wine.

So where can you find these value wines? There are certain wine regions of the world that are consistently producing excellent value wines – Chile, Argentina, Spain, Italy, and believe it or not France. Below are a few specific wines that you can feel comfortable drinking on a weekday night, at the beach, or with friends on the weekend for a casual backyard barbecue. They are certain not to disappoint.

White Wines

Massone Gavi, Piedmont, Italy 2007 - $13
Made from 100% Cortese grapes found primarily only in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, this delicious white is both soft and crisp. There is a nice minerality to the wine along with aromas of apple and pear. It has a refreshing finish that lingers.

Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes, Argentina 2007 - $13
This wine is made from 100% Torrontes grape varietal. It has a tremendously aromatic nose that sings flowers, peach, apricot and orange notes. There is a hint of citrus as it finishes dry with smooth and luscious fruit. It is well-structured with enough acidity to balance the delicious fruit. Enjoy this wine by itself on a hot day or partner it with smoked meats, mild-medium cheeses, seafood or spicy Asian food.

Rosé Wines

Chateau Rouët Rose, Côtes de Provence - $15
Château du Rouët has been making this classic Côtes de Provence rosé for five generations. It is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah and has a fresh aroma of raspberry fruit along with a crisp, clean palate. It is an elegant classic rose to complement grilled fish or chicken.

La Commanderie de Peyrassol Rose, Côtes de Provence - $18
A Templar parchment dates this vineyard back to 1256. It sounds formal, but this wine is youthful, modern and fresh. Conscientious about the environment, the owners do not use any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides. It is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. It is pale pink in color with an aroma of strawberry, peach, and roses. It is refined and subtle with fruity and mineral highlights. Enjoy this medium-bodied balanced wine with grilled fish, veal, or chicken or on its own while basking poolside or beachside.

Red Wines

Terra Andina Carmenere, Central Valley, Chile 2007 - $10
Carménère is a grape that originated in Bordeaux as one of the original six grapes of Bordeaux wines. Today it is rarely found there. Chile now has the world’s largest planting acreage of this grape. The quality is vastly improving and being recommended by well-known critics. 2007 was a great vintage for Chile. This wine is pleasant and easygoing with an intense aroma of both cherry and plum along with a bouquet of licorice, cedar, and a little smoky tobacco. Only 20% of this wine sees oak so there is fruit is not masked by big oak. This is an excellent wine for barbecuing—grilled steak or lamb chops.

Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone St Esprit 2007 - $12
This Southern Rhone wine is a beautiful blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache that drinks like a fine Northern Rhone. It has intense berry aroma and pepper taste typical of the Syrah grape. It is full-bodied and round with delicate tannins. The structure and richness is gorgeous and pure. 2007 was an almost perfect growing season in Southern Rhone. Take advantage of this wine that tastes more than twice the price.

Juan Gil, Jumilla, Spain 2006 - $16
100% Monastrell (Mourvedre) grape varietal selected from 40-year old vineyards. It is aged 12 months in French and American oak. The color is a purple-red and the aromatics are layered with violets, blueberry pie, wood smoke, spice and earthiness. A long, rich balanced finish that continues long after you have swallowed. The tannins allow it to be paired nicely with grilled meats, sausages, pasta, and cheeses. It is a wine with a lot of personality.

Shannon Ridge Lake County Zinfandel - $18
Lake County is situated north of Sonoma and Napa and is finally seeing a comeback from Prohibition as an area for tremendous wine growing. Vineyards are at an elevation of 1400 ft. and surround Clear Lake the largest natural lake in California. They all practice sustainable farming. This wine is a deep garnet color that exudes an aroma of red berries, mocha, and vanilla. It tastes of raspberry, strawberry, clove and pepper. Bold, but balanced. A yummy wine with a barbecue.


Note: If you live in Fairfield County, CT you can find or order these wines from these local wine stores: Peter’s Spirit Shop, Weston, CT; Anacona’s, Ridgefield, CT


So don’t be shy if it is Tuesday night and you are barbecuing hamburgers and hot dogs. Grab a bottle of wine, kick back and enjoy the longer days of spring. As William Shakespeare said, “Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used”.